Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Homoallylic Amines Using C ₁-Symmetric NHCs

Significance

The authors disclose an enantio­selective Cu-catalyzed method for the synthesis of homoallylic amines using allylboron reagents and imines. Although there is plethora of chemical transformations for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral homoallyl amines, many require stoichiometric quantities of costly or highly toxic reagents and/or catalysts. This report entails a general and highly enantioselective protocol for the synthesis of chiral homoallyl amines using cheap and benign Cu catalysts that employ C ₁-symmetric NHCs. A model for asymmetric induction is proposed to rationalize enantioselectivity trends.